Winnipeg official host of 2017 Canada Summer Games

Calling it an "enormous opportunity" for the city, chairman of the Canada Games Council Tom Quinn made the long-expected announcement at The Forks this afternoon. The two week experience will draw approximately 5,000 of Canada’s top amateur athletes, coaches and sport administrators to the city, with another 20,000 people expected to visit because of the games.

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Dancing Gabe and a group of school kids at The Forks celebrate the announcement the 2017 Canada Games are coming to Winnipeg. Photo Store

The University of Manitoba is expected to be the main hub for the event. Both the opening ceremonies and the athletes village will be housed at the south Winnipeg campus.

The Keystone province last played host to the Canada Summer Games in 1997, when they were held in Brandon. Manitoba’s second-largest city was vying to be the host for the 2017 games but its bid was rejected by the Canada Games Council in December 2012. Not wanting to see Manitoba pass over a chance to welcome Canadian amateur athletes, the provincial government asked for a little more time to rework the bid with Winnipeg as the host.

The 2017 Summer Games should carry some extra ceremony, too. Not only will the year celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday but it will also mark the 50th anniversary of the games.

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